Rams-Panthers draws $47,250 in fines from NFL

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The St. Louis Rams and Carolina Panthers drew a total of $47,250 in fines from the NFL for their chippy game last Sunday.

Rams defensive lineman Chris Long received the biggest fine Friday, $15,750, for unnecessary roughness for throwing a punch during a skirmish in the third quarter of St. Louis’ 30-15 loss. Long was penalized and ejected after he was caught swinging his right hand at Panthers guard Chris Scott as players from both sides were pushing and shoving.

A pair of receivers — Carolina’s Steve Smith and St. Louis’ Brian Quick — were fined $7,875 for striking an opponent in the face. Also docked $7,875 were Rams guard Harvey Dahl for a late hit and Panthers safety Mike Mitchell for taunting.

Orakpo was penalized for his hit on Chicago quarterback Josh McCown in the third quarter of Washington’s 45-41 win.

Jenkins hit Buffalo’s Thad Lewis, knocking the quarterback’s helmet off — although Lewis was able to complete a 17-yard pass to Stevie Johnson — during the Dolphins’ 23-21 loss.

Crick had a hit below the left knee of Kansas City quarterback Alex Smith in the first quarter of Houston’s 17-16 loss to the Chiefs.

Ayers’ fine came as a result of his hit on the knee of San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick in the second quarter of the 49ers’ 31-17 win. Ayers was called for a penalty that negated an interception by Bernard Pollard.

New England rookie cornerback Logan Ryan was fined $10,000 for grabbing at his groin at the end of an interception return against the New York Jets.

Ryan, playing for the injured Aqib Talib, picked off Geno Smith late in the first quarter and returned it 79 yards for a touchdown. As he reached the end zone, he fell backward and reached for his groin.

Denver defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson was docked $10,000 for hitting Indianapolis offensive lineman Samson Satele during an extra-point attempt in the third quarter of the Colts’ 39-33 win. Vickerson was not penalized for the play in which he appeared to punch at Satele’s right knee, sending the center to the sideline for the rest of the game.

• Chiefs wide receiver Dwayne Bowe is questionable for Sunday’s game against the Cleveland Browns after straining his groin in practice this week.

Coach Andy Reid said Friday that Bowe hurt the groin near the end of Thursday’s practice. The former Pro Bowl wide receiver did not participate in Friday’s workout.

• Christian Ponder will start at quarterback for Minnesota against Green Bay on Sunday night, while Josh Freeman will be inactive after being cleared to practice.

Next week’s as-the-quarterback-carousel-turns episode has not been written yet, but the Vikings have their guy for the Packers game. Coach Leslie Frazier confirmed after practice on Friday that Ponder will start against the Vikings’ bitter rival.

• Champ Bailey’s sprained left foot will keep him on the sideline Sunday when Mike Shanahan returns to Denver.

The 15th-year veteran reinjured his foot in last week’s loss to Indianapolis that snapped Denver’s six-game winning streak. That was his second game back after missing the first five with the injury.

Bailey said he hopes to return to action at San Diego on Nov. 10 following the Broncos’ bye.

• Oneida Indian officials who oppose the Redskins nickname as a slur will meet with NFL officials next week in New York City, a tribe spokesman said Friday.

The meeting agreed to by NFL officials earlier this month is scheduled for Wednesday in New York City, Oneida Indian Nation spokesman Brett Stagnitti told The Associated Press.

The upstate New York tribe and its leader Ray Halbritter became prominent critics of the team’s name after funding a “Change the Mascot” radio ad campaign and a symposium in Washington on the harmful effects of the nickname.